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Ten years ago I found a book at a yard sale that not only changed me, but also changed the way I identified myself. The book was a fictional account of the Aztecs. But, it peeked my interest enough to start reading books that were more authentic books that told the real story of the Aztecs. Reading every book I could get my hands on revealed some very important and personal realities. First I realized that there are many, many misconceptions about the indigenous people who populated this continent. Second, I learned that I belonged to this group. Being Mexican, I was connected to them in a very real way and I was becoming aware of my true identity. Identity became an important element that I needed to understand not how others identified me, but how I identified myself. Knowing who we are and where we come from are the foundation of self-esteem, self-awareness and inner strength. It is because of this understanding that I created the Aztec Stories program for boys and girls, parents, teachers, students, and all those interested in learning about their ancient ancestors in an effort to find a meaningful way to understand who they are and to fulfill their dreams and destiny.
I am a songwriter, artist, storyteller and poet. I have been a musician and songwriter since 1968. From 1968 to 1979 I played guitar, bass guitar, and keyboards, in many different types of groups. And, even as a child, I found pleasure in the intense focus needed in creating and working within the arts. I have been a professional graphic artist for the last 21 years and now, with the Aztec Stories program, I have added poetry and storytelling to my repertoire. Throughout the Aztec Stories presentations I insert contemporary poems I have written that are reflective of the theme and topic at hand. Recently, one of my stories was accepted for publication in "Cantos Al Sexto Sol" An Anthology of Aztlanahuac Writing, edited by Cecilio García-Camarillo, Roberto Rodríguez and Patrisia Gonzales, published by Wings Press.
Since 1994 I have intensely researched and studied the culture and history of ancient Mexico. That research led to the completion of the first of my CD recordings - "Aztec Stories" in 1996.
After spending time researching oral tradition stories and meeting people who were willing to share indigenous knowledge with me, in Mexico and here in the USA, I began writing new materiel that reflected this newfound knowledge and perspective. During this time period I was also experimenting with new instruments indigenous instruments. Meeting artists and musicians who shared the love of indigenous music like Xavier Quijas Yxayotl, and members of Tribu (in Mexico), I started focusing my attention not only in playing these ancient instruments but also in learning to make them myself. With these new songs, ballads, and narratives completed, I was ready to step into the recording studio once again, and the second "Aztec Stories" CD titled "Tonalmachyotl, The Memory Stone" was created, produced, and published. I am now writing new material for my third CD. I am an independent artist and have produced both CDs under my own label Tochtli Productions.
Over the last three years I have taken the Aztec Stories program to interested listeners of all ages who reside beyond my home state of California to audiences in Minnesota, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Illinois, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, and the homeland of my ancestors, Mexico.
In July of 2002, I had the distinct honor and privilege of being the first invited presenter, outside of Mexico, to teach a two-day program at La Universidad Nahuatl in the autonomous city of Ocotepec, near Cuernavaca, in the state of Morelos, Mexico.
I am also the editor of a bilingual cultural magazine titled "Ketzalkoatl." This was a natural extension for me with regards to the Aztec Stories project. I felt there was a need for an educational resource that focused on indigenous knowledge. In 1998 I spent some time with the instructors at the Nahuatl University. With their contributions (articles), along with additional writers here in the USA, Ketzalkoatl was born.